Wainwright vs Versoza 26 SCRA 78 [Topic: Effects of fa i!" re!ationship on !ega!

#isp$tes% &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& 'acts: Margaret Ann Wainright Versoza, and three minor children, Jose Ma. Versoza, Jr., Charles John Versoza and Virginia Felice Versoza loadged a complaint for P1,500.00 monthl s!pport, s!pport in arrears, and damages, and c!stod of children, "ith a petition for s!pport pendente liteagainst JoseMa. Versoza. #ro!nds for complaint$ A%andoned the plaintiffs "itho!t pro&iding for their s!pport and maintains illicit relations "ith another "oman. 'efendant( ans"er$ )he claim is premat!re for it states no ca!se of action. o Article *** of the Ci&il Code$ +,o s!it shall %e filed or maintained %et"een mem%ers of the same famil !nless it sho!ld appear that earnest efforts to"ard a compromise ha&e %een made, %!t that the same ha&e failed, subject to the limitations in article 2035.+ #ro!nd for dismissal of the instant case$ -the s!it is %et"een mem%ers of the same famil and no earnest efforts to"ards a compromise ha&e %een made.+

.o"er Co!rt(s decision$ 'ismissal of the complaint !pon the gro!nd that there "as no sho"ing that efforts ha&e %een e/erted to settle the case amica%l %efore s!it "as started. 0)here "ere to motion for reconsideration %!t li1e"ise denied % the lo"er co!rt2 3ence, this petition.

(ss$e: W4, Article *** of the Ci&il Code "ill appl in the instant case. )e!#$ 'ecision of the lo"er co!rt, re&ersed. Ratio: Article *** is s!%5ect to the limitations in Article *065 of the Ci&il Code$ o ART. 2035. No compromise upon the following questions shall be valid !"# The civil status of persons$ !2# The validit% of a marriage or a legal separation$ !3# An% ground for legal separation$ (4) Future support; !5# The &urisdiction of courts$ !'# (uture legitime.

7ince the present action also re&ol&es on the right to f!t!re s!pport and %eca!se compromise on f!t!re s!pport is prescri%ed, then the concl!sion is irresisti%le that an attempt at compromise of f!t!re s!pport and fail!re thereof is not a condition precedent to the filing of the present s!it. 8t need not %e alleged in the complaint.

)he right to s!pport cannot %e$ 91: reno!nced; 9*: transmitted to third persons; nor 96: compensated "ith "hat the recipient o"es the o%ligor. o Article *065 of the Ci&il Code cannot %e s!%5ect to compromise and therefore o!tside the sphere of application of Article ***.